Funding for Livingston Parish emergency shelter not secured [Video]

LIVINGSTON PARISH – Funding for a Livingston Parish disaster response center announced months ago by Sheriff Jason Ard was never obtained, WBRZ learned Tuesday.

Sheriff Ard held a press conference Dec. 20, announcing a nearly $45 million disaster response center, which would be used to house first responders and citizens displaced from natural disasters. The center was said to be built south of Livingston on LA-63 south of I-12.

“This is a project that’s much needed. Everybody that lives here, or even around here, understands the importance of this center because they all went through not only the 2016 flood, but other disasters we’ve had in this parish,” Ard said.

Several public officials contacted WBRZ and said that the millions needed for the response center were not guaranteed.

When asked Tuesday, Ard says he was aware that the full funding for the project was not obtained.

The Louisiana House of …